The Contribution of Local and Regional Authorities to a ‘Good’ System of Governance within the EU

Abstract

The participation of the local and regional authorities in EU processes should be promoted and enhanced by the EU, the Member States and the same local/regional authorities. These should perform a stronger role in the constitutional architecture of the EU. In this way they would contribute more effectively to a limited, balanced and legitimate system of governance based on constitutionalism within the EU. The participation of sub-national authorities in the EU reconciles European integration with the multi-level systems of governance of the Member States; strengthens the legitimacy of EU and national (EU-related) decision-making processes; and reinforces the legal limitation of the decision-making power of both Union institutions and national authorities.